“This morning, acting on evidence provided to the Federal Council, we have taken decisive action. Federal Councilors Rudolf Lüthi and Hans Brenner have been placed under arrest and charged with treason against the Swiss Confederation. Additional arrests are expected in the coming days.”
Frei’s voice hardened.
“Let me be clear: Switzerland’s democratic institutions have held. Our constitution remains unmolested. The mechanisms our founders put in place to protect against tyranny—whether from without or within—have proven their worth. Today, the Federal Council rejected the call for emergency powers. Today, the Federal Council chose democracy and freedom over fear.”
I felt something unknot in my chest. Beside me, Will exhaled.
“To those who perpetrated these attacks, who sought to steal our nation while we slept: You have been exposed. You will be found. You will face justice. I am confident the international community will unite to find every last collaborator, and thefull weight of Swiss law will be brought to bear, regardless of anyone’s position or rank.”
A pause.
“My fellow citizens, I know the past day has been frightening. I know many of you woke this morning cold and uncertain. I shared your fear. I felt it in my own heart.” Another pause. “But I also feel pride, pride in our institutions and pride in the men and women who worked through the night to uncover this plot. I am proud of Switzerland herself—a nation that has weathered wars, crises, and conspiracies, and emerged stronger each time.”
The Baroness opened her eyes.
They glistened in the firelight.
“The newspapers have published exhaustive reports this morning. The Federal Council will provide even more information in the coming days as our investigation proceeds. For now, I ask only this: Trust in Switzerland. Trust in each other. Trust in the values that have sustained us for seven hundred years. We are a small nation, but we are resilient. We have faced darkness before, and we have always found our way back to the light.”
His voice steadied.
“Switzerland stands. Switzerland endures. Switzerland will remain free—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. Thank you.”
The radio crackled.
A different voice spoke—the announcer, slightly breathless.
“That was Federal Council President Josef Frei, speaking from the Federal Palace in Bern. We are continuing to receive information about this morning’s extraordinary developments. Reports indicate that military units have secured key sites throughout Bern, and that theNeue Zürcher Zeitung’s exposé naming the conspirators has been confirmed by government sources. We will bring you updates as they become available. For now, we return to our regular programming.”
Mozart drifted through the farmhouse again.
But this time, no one minded.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Then Marcus let out a breath. “Holy shit.”
“It worked,” Danny said, wonder in his voice. “It actually worked.”
The CIA woman allowed herself a small smile. “Don’t sound so surprised. We’re professionals, and we’re fucking good.”
Marcus and Danny chuckled, as Danny said, “Fuckin’ right, we are.”
But I wasn’t listening to them anymore.
I was watching the Baroness.
She hadn’t moved.
She hadn’t spoken.
Her eyes were fixed on something far away again. Bisch still held her hand.
“Baroness,” I said quietly. When she didn’t respond, I added, “Isabella.”
Will startled beside me.
She blinked and came back from wherever she’d been.
